Karachi, In a significant meeting at CM House, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and UNFPA Country Representative Dr. Luay Shabaneh discussed strategic initiatives aimed at advancing youth development policies, skill-based education, and family planning in the province. These discussions are part of ongoing efforts to align Sindh’s policies with national and international development goals.

According to Chief Minister Sindh, the dialogue covered the development of the Youth Policy Action Plan, setting provincial targets for Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR), and addressing fertility and population growth. A key topic was the integration of Life Skill Based Education into the school curriculum, an initiative supported by the UNFPA under its current five-year program in Pakistan.

The meeting was attended by notable figures including Health Minister Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho, Chairman P and D Najam Shah, and other senior officials. The UNFPA delegation included members such as Ms. Renuka Swami and Khurram Arslan, highlighting the collaborative approach between Sindh government and UNFPA.

The UNFPA’s engagement in Sindh is part of its 10th Country Programme (2023-2027), which supports various initiatives like the Youth Policy Action Plan and family planning commitments. These efforts are in line with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2023-2027) and are designed to assist the provincial government in achieving targeted outcomes in health and education.

Additionally, the meeting touched upon the enhancement of the Research and Training Wing of the Planning and Development Department, transforming it into a leading Research and Capacity Building Institute. This transformation is intended to bolster informed decision-making and effective implementation of population and family planning strategies, as outlined in a 2022 Memorandum of Understanding between UNFPA and the Sindh government.

Furthermore, Chief Minister Shah and Dr. Shabaneh agreed to form a Working Group on Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) under the Local Government, enhancing efforts to gather critical data for planning and development purposes.

The initiatives discussed reflect a comprehensive approach to addressing key developmental challenges in Sindh, focusing on empowering youth through education and managing population growth through informed family planning measures.